The programme for Government commits the Government to recognising the state of Palestine. The decision by President Trump to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and the announcement by Vice President Pence that the US Embassy will move to Jerusalem have heightened tension in the region. According to the UN, at least 345 Palestinian children have been injured and at least 17 Palestinians have been killed. The Taoiseach will recall that the Oireachtas supported the recognition of the Palestinian state and nine EU member states have already done so. The Government, however, has linked recognition to a negotiated settlement, which hands to the Israeli Government a veto over the right of the Palestinian people to statehood and makes them second-class citizens in their own land. Will the Taoiseach review the Government's stand on this and accept the imperative of its own programme for Government, as well as the wishes of the Oireachtas? Will he also confirm that the Government is willing to increase the €4 million contribution it makes to humanitarian relief in the region following President Trump's decision to cut US funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA?

The Government disagrees strongly with the decision of the United States to recognise Jerusalem as the legal capital of Israel. That is the position I took at the European Council and the position we have adopted as a European Union. We continue to believe that the status of Jerusalem should be determined as part of the final settlement and final status talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

As for Ireland recognising the state of Palestine, that is something the Government wants to do but we have to bear two considerations in mind. First, the Palestinians do not have a state yet. Their lands are occupied and so far, Ireland has not recognised states which do not yet exist. We must consider whether it is wise for us to begin to recognise states which do not yet exist and what other states may fall into that category.

It was put in the programme for Government.

It is also the case that a decision would be much stronger if it were taken at the same time as our European partners take the same step. It would be a much stronger statement if that were done as a Union of 27 or 28 rather than by member states acting individually. While individual acts may get noticed momentarily, they will probably not change anything or be of any real benefit.

The Houses of the Oireachtas want the Government to do it.